Asian markets sink ahead of Fed, Hong Kong plunges again

HONG KONG (AFP): Asian markets fell Monday (Sept 20) in holiday-thinned trade, dragged by a range of issues including the Federal Reserve's plans to taper monetary policy, surging Delta infections, China's regulatory crackdown and signs of a slowdown in the global recovery.

Hong Kong again led the losses on growing fears about the possible collapse of troubled property giant China Evergrande -- which experts say could have a painful spillover into the broader economy -- as interest payments on some of its bonds come due.